John 20:1 1. The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulcher, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulcher.

[A] Early on the first day of the week [1] The first day of he week, according to the Jewish calendar would be our Sunday [2] John mentions that it was early, even says that it was still dark. [a] Matthew 28:1 says it had just begun to dawn [b] Mark 16:1 says the Sabbath was past [c] Luke 24:1 says, the Sabbath was past, and it was very early in the morning

[B] Mary Magdalene [1] It is also interesting that John only mentions Mary Magdalene, but the other scriptures mention other women [2] Matthew mentions Mary Magdalene and the other Mary [2] Mark mentions Mary Magdalene and the other Mary (the mother of James) and Salome [3] Luke list them as being Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and other Women. [4] Who was there? [a] It is impossible for us to know exactly who was there that morning, although I do suspect the listing Luke gave is the proper one, for he, as he wrote in the beginning of his writing, was writing a more excellent report [b] I would suspect that it was Mary Magdalene who had ran to John and Peter, to tell him about the tomb being open, although it is also highly possible that some of the other women were there as well. [b] The other scriptures told of angels appearing to the women, and asking them why they were looking for the living among the dead, but John doesn’t mention this. [e] John realized that these things had already been reported, and his writing was only to tell about Jesus, so he omitted this.

[C] When the women came to the tomb, the stone was rolled away. [1] When they arrived, the tomb was empty

John 20:2 2. Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulcher, and we know not where they have laid him.

[A] I have always been more inclined to trust what John tells us than what I read in the other scriptures about this account, because he was there, he was the other disciple, whom Jesus loved

John 20:3-10 3. Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came to the sepulcher. 4. So they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulcher. 5. And he stooping down, and looking in, saw the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in. 6. Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulcher, and seeth the linen clothes lie, 7. And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself. 8. Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulcher, and he saw, and believed. 9. For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead. 10. Then the disciples went away again unto their own home.

[A] Peter and John hastened to the sepulcher to see if what Mary had told them was true.

[B] They ran together, but John outrun Peter, and arrived at the sepulcher first [1] Maybe John was a little younger or in better shape. [2] Peter was a married man, so maybe he had already got a little gut on him.

[C] John stopped before he entered, and only looked in the tomb, whereas Peter ran right on in.

[D] Verse seven [1] Look with me at John 11:44 – this is the account of Lazarus coming out of the grave.John 11:44 (KJV) 44. And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with grave clothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.John 11:44 (NIV) 44. The dead man cam out, his hands, and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face

[2] Now I want us to compare the resurrection of Lazarus and the resurrection of Jesus [a] The last time we met, we looked at how, Jesus was wrapped in linen, with a hundred pounds of herbs and spices being wrapped with him. [b] Lazarus would have been wrapped in like manner. [c] Lazarus came out of the tomb still wrapped in his grave clothes, with the linen material still wrapped around his arms, legs and body, and the linen napkin still around his head, [d] Jesus on the other hand, came out of his grave clothes, leaving them lying where his body had been, apparently with the spices still inside them as well. [e] Lazarus came out of the grave, with the linen cloth still wrapped around his face, [f] Jesus folded the cloth and laid it gently aside. [g] Jesus not only defeated death, he defeated the grave clothes as well by rising through them, instead of wearing them out with him. [h] If his body had been stolen as the Jews claimed, the grave clothes would have still been around his body, but they were not, instead only the body was gone, because he rose up through them

[E] Then John finally went inside, and seen the cloths lying, and knew that indeed Jesus had risen from the dead just like he had told them. Then they departed to go back home. [1] I wonder what was on their mind and what they talked about while walking back to Jerusalem?

John 20:11-13 11. But Mary stood without at the sepulcher weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulcher, 12. And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. 13. And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord and I know not where they have laid him.

[A] It would appear from what we see here, the other women were all gone

[B] Peter and John had left as well

[C] Mary was alone, and standing at the sepulcher crying,

[D] She stooped down and looked into the tomb, [1] Two angels were sitting in the tomb, [a] on where the feet of Jesus should have been [b] One where his head had lain

[E] One angel asked her, why are you crying [1] What was here answer? [a] They have taken away my Lord [b] I don’t know where they laid him

[F] One has to wonder if John and Peter had talked to her, after they went into the tomb, or had she been left standing alone, and when they left they did not say anything

John 20:14-15 14. And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus. 15. Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away.

[A] Reading this, I wonder [1] Did Mary realize that these two men were angels? [2] Why didn’t she ask them where Jesus was?

[B] After speaking to the angels, Mary turned and saw a man standing behind her. [1] She supposed him to be the Gardner [a] Why was she unable to recognize Jesus? [b] Was she in so much grief, and shock that she did not recognize him? [c] Had his physical appearance changed? [2] She asked him where they had laid the body of Jesus. [a] This leads me to believe that Peter and John did not tell Mary they believed Jesus had Risen, in fact, I wonder if they thought that until later

John 20:16-18 16. Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master. 17. Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God. 18. Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken these things unto her.

[A] When Jesus said unto her, Mary, she immediately recognized his voice. [1] What was it about his saying her name that made her realize that this was Jesus? John 10:27 27. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me [2] Why does the sheep follow the shepherd when he calls them? [3] What does this tell you about the relationship we need to have with Jesus?

[B] Verse seventeen - Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God. [1] It is not clear why Jesus did not want Mary to touch him, other than he had not yet ascended back to his father. [a] Maybe he was still covered with the stench of Hell, from having descended there [b] Maybe he needed to go into the father’s presence to be cleansed before allowing others to touch him [c] He told Thomas to touch him, but told Mary not to touch him, apparently when he appeared to the disciples and later to Thomas, he had returned to the Father already. [2] It is here that Jesus called the first person to go and tell the good news, being he is alive, and we serve a risen savior [a] Is that not the good news of the gospel? [b] And whom was the first person called? [c] And she was a woman told to proclaim the good news of the resurrection to the Apostles of Christ – what a responsibility to be given a woman in the time of Christ. She was not allowed to touch him, but was given the greatest responsibility any human can have – the opportunity to share. [1-a] We can relate to Mary, for we cannot touch Jesus either, only in our case, not until we ascend to heaven. [2-a] We can see him in so many ways, but we cannot reach out and touch him [3-a] Yet we are entrusted, just like Mary to carry the good news of the Gospel into the world, and tell it to others, trying to convince them, even as she had to thy and convince the disciples that Jesus is alive and we serve a risen savior [C] Verse eighteen - Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken these things unto her. [1] Mary did as Jesus told her, she went to where they were gathered and told them she had seen Jesus [2] I’m sure that Peter and John told them his body was missing, and what they had seen in the tomb. [a] They would have had a little time to think about what had happened to Jesus’ body [b] They would have had a little time to consider what Jesus had taught them [c] Yet I wonder what they thought when Mary walked in stating in a positive way that she had see Jesus.

John 19-23 19. Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. 20. And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord. 21. Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. 22. And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: 23. Whosesoever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whosesoever sins ye retain, they are retained.

[A] That same day, at evening, the disciples were gathered in an upper room and the doors were shut and bolted. [1] They were fearful for their lives. [2] They figured if the Jews found them they would be killed as well. [3] As of yet, they did not fully believe that Jesus was alive

[B] Jesus appeared to them, [1] He didn’t come in through the door, it was bolted [2] Yet he appeared standing in their midst

[C] He said, Peace be unto you, a familiar Jewish greeting

[D] When he had spoken to them, he showed them his hand and his side, [1] He wanted them to know that he was indeed Jesus [2] He wanted them to see the holes so they would not doubt that it was he [a] I believe Jesus still has ways of showing us that he is alive [b] We might not see his hands and side, but we feel his presence and love [3] The disciples were glad, they believed it was really him

[E] Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. [1] Here we find the beginning of what Jesus us to do [2] Even as God sent him, he sends his followers into the world [a] What does the Great Commission say

[F] And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: [1] Jesus breathed on the disciples [a] I believe this is what happens to us, when we receiver Jesus. [b] The moment we receive him he breathes on us and we receiver the Holy Spirit. [1-a] There is a difference between being filled with the Holy Spirit, which is what happened to the disciples at Pentecost and having the Holy Spirit in us [2-a] The Holy Spirit abiding in us, is the Spirit of Christ dwelling in our soul. [a-1] This is that spirit that shows us right from wrong, [b-1] Thai is that spirit that cleanses our heart [c-1] This is that spirit that helps us have the mind of Christ [d-1] This is that spirit that leads us to eternal life. [3-a] Even though we have the Holy Spirit living in us, there is still more we need [a-1] At Pentecost, The disciples were filled with the Spirit, and started doing things they never thought possible [b-1] Not all speak in tongues [c-1] Not all heal the sick. [d-1] Yet this filling, empowers you and I to perform specific thing for the Lord, that we were not able to do before – for example, preaching, teaching, singing, laying hands on people and they are healed, and so many more. [e-1] This filling of the Spirit, manifest itself in many ways, but is evident in one’s life as they are observed.

[G] Whosesoever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whosesoever sins ye retain, they are retained. [1] This verse is tough – it is partially where the Catholic Church comes up with being able to forgive sins, and pronounce pardons in the name of Jesus but is this what that means? [2] I feel it has a slightly different meaning [a] Jesus breathed on the disciples and said receive the Holy Spirit [b] It was after this that he said what he did in verse twenty-three [3] When one has the Spirit of God in them, they are able to discern between right and wrong. [a] One knows when another is committing sins. [b] One knows when there are wrongs being committed [c] One judges between right and wrong. [4] Could this have been what Jesus was referring too? [5] Was he saying, receive the Holy Spirit, so that you can see sin, and try to make converts? [6] Was he saying, if you try and they refuse, don’t worry about them, you have done your job? [7] Was he saying, after you try, if they refuse to believe, go your way, if they remit their sins, that’s wonderful you have done your job. But if they refuse, leave them to carry their sins? [8] After all, Jesus taught that no man can judge another, IF we cannot judge we cannot forgive a person for their sins, or pardon them form their transgressions, only Jesus can do that

John 20:24-31 24. But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. 25. The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe. 26. And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. 27. Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. 28. And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. 29. Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed. 30. And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: 31. But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.

[A] Thomas, was not with the other disciples when Jesus appeared to them. [1] I can imagine their excitement when they told him

[B] Yet Thomas did not believe [1] Unless I can put my fingers in the nail holes and my hand in his side, I will not believe [2] Herein is a problem we are having throughout all the world even in the church [a] Because many cannot see, they will not believe [b] Because science claims certain thing, they will not believe the bible. [c] Because they cannot see God, he must not exist.

[C] As they talked, Jesus appeared again to them in a locked room [1] I would have loved to have seen Thomas’ face when Jesus appeared [2] I would have loved to have been watching when Jesus told him to put his finger in the nail holes, and his hand in his side. [3] I bet Thomas felt like a child caught with his hand in the cookie jar. [4] I also wonder if Jesus made him put his hand in his side and his finger in his hands

[D] The words that Jesus told Thomas are wonderful Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed. [1] In other words, you have seen and believe, [2] Many will believe on me, and they will not see me, they are much greater blessed than you

[E] And we end this lesson with verses thirty and thirty-one 30. And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: 31. But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.